Coffee

Not all coffee beans are grown in environments that consist of huge commercial coffee plantations that are located in remote places in far off southern Latin American countries and it is also another common assumption that growing coffee requires plenty of sunshine as well.

There are however different kinds of coffee crops that grow under different conditions and which use different procedures of harvesting. Thus one can think of two different types of coffee that include the shade grown or organic coffee and the traditional coffee that is grown in direct sunlight.

Two Types Of Coffee

These two types of coffees are diametrically opposite as far as their production is concerned. There was a time when coffee was only grown in the shade and it was much like the present day organic coffee that we drink today. It is not usual for most kinds of coffee to grow properly under direct sunlight and grow at their best when under shade.

Thus shade grown coffee or organic coffee are used to benefiting from the falling of leaves that are instrumental in mulching the soil and helping in retaining moisture. Also, such type of coffee, when grown beneath trees means that the trees provide a home to birds and thus are a way of controlling pests.

Till about thirty years ago there was not much fertilizer or pesticides used and thus organic coffee was synonymous with healthy production. Then, in the seventies a number of new varieties of coffee began to appear and new methods of producing coffee became known which meant production of more Coffee beans, slower rate of harvesting and also use of direct sunlight to grow the crops.

Thus, the coming of non-organic coffee meant that farmers began to cut down on trees so that they could make plantation rows and in the United States alone it meant almost two million acres of land being dedicated to both organic as well as non-organic coffee growth. Only those farmers that were too poor to use fertilizers as well as pesticides continued producing organic coffee.

There is little doubt that organic coffee does cost a bit more, but the transition from organic to the sun coffee has also meant that the environment is being sacrificed. With erosion of soil and the depletion of nutrients, more chemical fertilizers are being sprayed into the ground and there has also been the removal of rainforest land just so that non-organic coffee can be grown.

This has led to just a few countries remaining that are still producing organic coffee and these countries include Ethiopia, Panama, El Salvador and Mexico. The bigger producers of coffee such as Costa Rica and Brazil are now producing sun coffee.

In the end, organic coffee does mean a better and cleaner environment that does produce a better coffee as far as health and a clean environment are concerned.

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Author: John Hilaire
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

You might have heard this buzz phrase while sipping a mocha latte certified organic coffee but what exactly does that mean? And what’s the difference between organic coffee and organic fair trade coffee? Understanding the basics behind the buzz can help you make an informed decision when you buy your next bag of coffee beans.

Organic Coffee Versus Conventional Coffee

What’s the difference between regular coffee and organic coffee? Organic coffee plantations focus on using practices that protect both the environment and the workers who grow, harvest, roast and pack the coffee.

Conventional Coffee Plantations

Conventional coffee plantations use several practices that are not good for either the environment or the workers. Many of the fertilizers and pesticides used by conventional coffee growers have been shown to leach into groundwater supplies, streams and rivers killing off wildlife, causing plants to overgrow and overtake lakes and rivers, and polluting the drinking water supplies used by the locals.

Traditional farming methods involve clearing forest (sometimes rainforests), resulting in lost topsoil and lost forest area. With the lost forest comes displaced birds and wildlife that no longer have places to live, threatening endangered species. Many of the coffee growers still use antiquated chemicals such as DDT. These chemicals endanger the workers, who are exposed to cancer-causing agents as they work with these dangerous chemicals.

Organic Coffee Plantations

Plantations that use organic farming methods refuse to use dangerous chemicals or fertilizers to protect or enhance their crops. They also focus on growing coffee in the shade even though this process takes longer and is more difficult. When you read a label that lists “organic shade grown coffee,” you’re holding a package of coffee that has been grown the way coffee was intended to be grown in the shade of higher vegetation or trees, without the use of chemicals.

Shade-grown coffee is richer in flavor, but it takes longer to grow and is more costly to produce. Shade-grown coffee is also called “bird-friendly” coffee because it protects the habitat needed by many birds. All of these practices protect the workers (who labor to provide for their families) and the environment.

Fair Trade Coffee

Fair trade coffee regulations were created in order to protect human rights for plantation workers. On many conventional coffee plantations, the workers are paid very little and work long hours.

Under the fair trade regulations, coffee farmers are paid a fair trade premium so they will have enough capital to invest in health care, education, fair worker wage and community infrastructure. As a reward for adopting safe and environmentally friendly farming practices, these farmers are given resources such as improved equipment and training so they can compete with the current market. If these farmers also decide to use organic practices, they receive an additional financial incentive. This benefits the workers, the community and society as a whole.

How do you know if the Coffee is Truly Fair Trade Coffee?

Look for the certification from Transfair, an organization which oversees the certification of fair trade coffee around the world. Go to www.transfairusa.org for more information on which coffee plantations and producers are certified as fair trade coffee producers.

The Best of Both Worlds: Organic Fair Trade Coffee

The purposes of both these business models are the same: to help promote a way of conducting business that supports a sustainable society. Organic coffee production protects the environment and the health of the coffee workers, and fair trade regulations protects the rights of the workers so they are ensured fair pay and decent working conditions.

Why Pay Extra for Organic Fair Trade Coffee?

Unfortunately, organic fair trade coffee is more expensive than the competition. This is because these practices although best for the people and environment are more costly than the conventional options.

For more information on coffee, visit the food section of Life123.com.

Author: Rachel Mork
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

We all love drinking coffee. More than 1400 million cups are consumed per day. That’s a lot of coffee and also a lot of waste. But we don’t need to stop drinking coffee. We just need to be more conscientious in how we drink it. By drinking coffee the eco friendly way, we can reduce the negative impact on the environment while still enjoying our coffee. Here are some easy idea’s to reduce the negative influences from coffee.

Buy Organic Coffee
Not only is Organic Coffee better for the environment but it is also healthier for the coffee drinker. Organic coffee is grown without the pesticides standard coffee growers use. Lots of Organically grown Coffee is shade grown which means the farmers aren’t cutting down all the trees to grow the coffee. This is better for the forest and the wildlife in the forest. It is also better for the coffee as the beans form slower and therefore produces a denser, higher quality bean.

Use Ecotainer’s
There are biodegradable coffee cups around now such as ecotainer. Find out which café’s are using these compostable cups and start buying your coffee from these coffee shops. Or if you run a café start using ecotainer’s instead of normal non-biodegradable cups.

Use Your Own Mug
If you like going to a café to get your coffee and they don’t use environmentally friendly cups then get in the habit of taking your own thermal mug. It will keep your coffee warm for longer and it reduces the waste from the standard takeaway cups. If you have one coffee a day that will be 365 less paper/plastic coffee cups in the waste each year.

Recycle Your Coffee Grinds
There are many ways to use your coffee grinds. You can use them on your garden or if you don’t have a garden collect them and give them away to people that do. The coffee grinds release nutrients that increase the acidity of the soil. Thus you get a richer soil which will obviously produce healthier plants. You can also use coffee grinds on your indoor plants.

Coffee grinds can also be used to repel insects and to keep cats of your garden!
Try using coffee grounds as an exfoliater as it removes all the dead skin cells making your skin lovely and soft again.

These are simple ideas but they can have a huge positive impact on the environment if lots of people start doing them. Even 365 less coffee cups a year is an improvement. So if a few people start drinking coffee the eco way they will make a positive change for the better.

For more Coffee Ideas visit: http://www.gourmetcoffeemakeronline.com

Author: Laurel Whiting
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee gift baskets are great for coffee lovers. However, it can be complete without the coffee itself. There are many different kinds of coffee to choose from. You can be creative with the flavors and add accessories to complete the package.

Here are some coffee selections that can be assembled in the gift basket:

Kona Coffee – Kona coffee is a premium specialty coffee made in Hawaii. Because of this, it is only grown just right in a few places in the world. Growing this type of coffee requires a certain technique. The amount of sun oil and water has to be very precise. This combination technique consists of bright sunny mornings, humid rainy afternoons and mild nights. When this technique is followed correctly, the kona beans give off a powerful aroma that can permeate the entire gift basket.

Shade Grown – This coffee is a friend of the environment. Shade grown coffee does not rely on chemicals for growth and does not pose a threat to the soil. Because of this, the ground remains fertile and the coffee has a better flavor.

Fair Trade Certified – Fair trade certified coffee should be purchased under fair conditions. To become fair trade certified, imported have to adhere to certain rules and regulations. This in turn, puts a premium price on the product.

Organic Coffee – Organic coffee is healthy because it’s free from pesticides and other chemicals. Chemicals in other products can be harmful to people and the environment. This coffee gift shows how much health means to you.

Gourmet coffee gift baskets are great for those who are really into specialty coffees. Gourmet coffees come from gourmet coffee beans. The coffee beans roast its own flavor, therefore making it distinct. The settled flavor is created upon the climate for growth, kinds of soil and the weather. You get more of a natural flavor if the roast is light in color. Roasting is getting back into gear again, with people doing it at home. Roasting beans can just about assure you a great cup of coffee.

Gourmet coffee contains many different flavors and other items to complement it. If you’re not sure which selections you should choose, consult a local coffee store in your area, local Starbucks or other local chain. Online retailers have many coffee flavors to choose from, like French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Irish Crème.

To complement your coffee gift basket, whether it’s gourmet coffee or something else, you can also add some of the following items: coffee or travel mugs, filters, coffee grinder, chocolate gourmet candy, cappuccino, cream and cream server, and a sugar bowl with an assortment of sweeteners.

The coffee gift basket can be in any size. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. You should think out of the box and be creative. Along with the coffee, you can add cookies, pancake/waffle mix, syrup or chocolate dipped stirring spoons. Being able to customize a coffee gift basket for someone is really special. Coffee lovers just appreciate the fact that you’re thinking about them.

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Author: Jon Sherwood
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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